Additive Manufacturing : a new way to design - Topological optimization, design taking into account the constraints of a range of additive manufacturing processes

Whether it's rocket parts, cars, bridges, or meat, additive manufacturing (AM) is challenging conventional wisdom and completely redefining the realm of possibilities in a wide range of industries. But, like any new technology, the process raises as many hopes as it does surprises (both good and bad) for those who wish to use this new manufacturing method. Better known as "3D printing," additive manufacturing involves depositing material (mainly plastic or metal) in a specific way to meet certain constraints in terms of geometry, weight, and optimization of mechanical or physical properties. This manufacturing technique is generally found in private homes, prototyping workshops, and cutting-edge industries such as aerospace and aeronautics. The basic principle is quite simple: it consists of aggregating material in successive layers in an often controlled environment (temperature and gas composition). The raw material can take different forms: solid (filament), powder, or liquid. In the field of mechanical engineering, the fundamental problem concerns the link between the manufacturing (or printing) process, the material, and the geometry of the final part. The choice of additive manufacturing technology and material will be determined by several factors such as geometric complexity, dimensions, material properties, and price.

Whether used as an alternative or complement to conventional techniques involving material removal or plastic deformation, AM is revolutionizing many industrial fields. From the production of high value-added monolithic parts to functionalization and rapid prototyping, the possibilities are endless. However, the AM value chain is more complex. In addition to the specific manufacturing methods on which it relies, it requires fundamentally different design rules because it imposes new technical constraints. From CAD and material selection ( [BM 7 935] and [BM 7 937] ) to machine programming and industrialization, the entire process must be redefined, from the specifications to the maintenance of AM products.